Efficacy of visual double-lumen bronchial catheter in teaching lung isolation

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a visual double-lumen bronchial catheter in teaching lung isolation skills to anesthesia resident trainees. Methods: Between September 2023 and September 2024, 20 anesthesiology residents from Jiangsu Cancer Hospital were randomly divided into two groups: the visual double-lumen group (n=10) and the conventional double-lumen group (n=10). Randomization was achieved using a random number table. The study assessed several outcomes, including total intubation time, positioning time, one-time intubation success rate, intraoperative catheter displacement rate, surgeon satisfaction scores, and the incidence of postoperative complications (pharyngeal pain, hoarseness, and dry cough) within 24 hours. Results: The visual double-lumen group demonstrated superior results compared to the conventional double-lumen group in the following measures: total intubation time (70.2±11.8 s vs 224.9±35.6 s), positioning time (30.1±5.7s vs 176.6±26.4 s), one-time intubation success rate (85% vs 45%), intraoperative catheter displacement rate (10% vs 40%), surgeon’s intubation satisfaction score (8.10±1.07 vs 6.90±1.41), satisfaction score for pulmonary isolation (8.35±1.04 vs 6.55±1.36), and airway management satisfaction score (8.40±1.3 vs 6.70±1.34). Additionally, the incidence of postoperative pharyngeal pain (15% vs 45%), hoarseness (10% vs 40%), and dry cough (5% vs 35%) was significantly lower in the visual double-lumen group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: The visual double-lumen bronchial catheter significantly enhances the training of anesthesia residents in lung isolation by reducing intubation and positioning times, improving intubation success rate, increasing surgeon satisfaction, and reducing intubation-related complications. This method offers a more effective teaching approach compared to conventional techniques.